BOARD OF FINANCE
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
40 OLD FARMS ROAD
WILLINGTON, CT 06279
SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Members Present: Members Absent:
Ken Schoppmann, Chairman Annemarie Poole - Alternate
Ann Marie Brown, Vice-Chair
Alan Ference, Secretary
Peter Latincsics
Elizabeth Marco (arrived at 7:30)
Robert Wiecenski
Elizabeth Treiber - Alternate
Also Present: Donna Latincsics, Business Manager; Tish Ignatowicz, Treasurer; Christina Mailhos, 1st Selectman; Dave Harding, Superintendent; Lynn Nicholls, Public Works; members of the public.
Chairman Ken Schoppmann called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
SEATING OF ALTERNATES –
Robert Wiecenski motioned to seat Elizabeth Treiber for Elizabeth Marco, Alan Ference seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
PRESENT TO SPEAK
Jim Bulick, member of the CIP Board, asked that if while the Board is looking at the budget to take into consideration that the Grand List remains flat and the rough economic times.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2012 Budget meeting was made by Alan Ference with the following amendment, Ann Marie Brown seconded. All were in favor, motion carried.
Under Appointment add that Alan Ference was the volunteer.
Board of Finance -2- March 8, 2012
NEW BUSINESS
Budget Discussions
Chairman Schoppmann discussed what it would take to have a zero increase. He explained that it would take another $400,000 applied Fund Balance to reach zero or that much in budget cuts.
Chairman Schoppmann then turned the discussion over to the Board. The following comments and topics were made:
- removing place holders with the Board of Education
- strong track record of funds being returned to the Town from the BOE
- General Fund money belongs to the tax payers and could help to keep taxes down
- tipping fees
- snow and ice removal savings
- keeping rural character of Willington, enforcement needed - not enough people in P&Z office.
- Zoning Assistant Agent - clarify whether clerical or technical need.
- Region 19
Comments were taken from the public
- Nancy Gauthier, a Willington resident, said that households look at their budgets to see what they can afford.
- Carl Pierson spoke of his vehicle being 19 years old.
Chairman Schoppmann then took a poll from the Board, asking what increase they would be comfortable with:
- Alan Ference - .5 range, but would like lower
- Robert Wiecenski - .5, thinks that the general public would go along with it
- Peter Latincsics - would like not to answer
- Ann Marie Brown - thinks we can cut the budget, & increase the General Fund
Elizabeth Marco - in favor of a small increase
Ken Schoppmann - below .5 - .3 or .35
Elizabeth Treiber - agrees with Alan - .5
Chairman Schoppmann reminded the Board that the General Fund balance effects bond rating
OLD BUSINESS – none
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter from Town of Killingworth
Board of Finance -3- March 8, 2012
GOOD & WELFARE - none
ADJOURMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Our next meeting will be next Thursday, March 15th with Budget Approvals.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Hlobik
BOF Recording Secretary
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